Notes And Quotes, June 26, 2006

Los Angeles Sparks coach Joe Bryant, on Lisa Leslie, to the Los Angeles Times:"If she's not the greatest player to ever play, I don't know who is."

Sparks center Lisa Leslie, on her career-high 41-point scoring effort against the Silver Stars, to the Los Angeles Times:"The day that I scored 101 points, that's the same way I felt today.''

Sacramento Monarchs forward DeMya Walker, on communicating with coach John Whisenant in her first game back after giving birth to her daughter, to the Sacramento Bee:“We communicate. He told me to let him know when I feel it. That way I don't hurt the team by being out there."

Phoenix Mercury guard Kelly Miller, on the team's improving play, to the Arizona Republic:““It’s getting there. I think we know each other a little bit better now so it’s easier to try and get into that flow, the run-and-gun thing. But it’s fun. It’s the way I like to play.”

Lisa Leslie scored her 5,000th career point and a career-high 41 points overall in the Sparks' 105-80 victory over the San Antonio Silver Stars on Sunday. NBAE/Getty Images

Minnesota Lynx coach Suzie McConnell Serio, on the play of Seimone Augustus, to the Hartford Courant:“On a daily basis, she has come to practice and works hard. That she's been able to play with the consistency she has is so impressive. She's so skilled. She makes it look effortless."

New York Liberty forward Barbara Farris on the team's current winning streak, to the Associated Press:“We looked at a lot of tape and finally realized that things we've been doing have been taking us out of games. We definitely have some momentum now. It's still a work in progress, but this will feel good on the ride home."

Connecticut Sun forward Nykesha Sales, on her recent struggles with injuries, to the Hartford Courant:“I've just got a lot of body parts mad at me right now. I just have to calm them down, even though there's not a lot of rest the next couple days. It's not keeping me from playing. I can get out there and do what I can."

Seattle Storm guard Sue Bird on her recent offensive struggles, to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer:“I'm a little bit disappointed in myself. The thing that frustrates me the most is that we're losing some games where maybe if I had been more offensively aggressive we would have won."

Minnesota Lynx forward Tamika Williams on playing in Connecticut, where she starred in college, to the Bristol Press:“It always means something (to come back to Connecticut). This is love right here. This is what got me to where I am now. Without Connecticut, none of this could have been for any of us."

WNBA President Donna Orender, on the WNBA's new rule changes, to the Houston Chronicle:"Everyone's saying, 'Wow, these players are really good.' And I've been saying, 'You know what? They've been really good for a long time. We've just given them a better platform to show how good they are."

Indiana Fever coach Brian Winters, on the play of Tamika Whitmore, to the Indianapolis Star:“I think she should be an All-Star. She's having one of the best years of her career. I don't see many forward-centers better than her."

Last week, Lauren Hill of Mount St. Joseph University courageously took the floor for her first college game, refusing to let an inoperable brain tumor keep her from achieving her dream – and WNBA stars Elena Delle Donne and Tamika Catchings were on hand to lend their support.